Mounting system, device and method for audio components

Abstract

An ear mount that is used to support one or more audio components proximate to a user's ear or head is disclosed. The ear mount can include one or more wire grooves to secure wires and/or the one or more audio components. The ear mount can be malleable so its shape can be customized for a given user. The ear mount can also be length alterable for customization of its size as well as placement of audio components. The ear mount also facilitates rapid setup and/or alteration for individual users whereby different audio components and/or their placement can be customized. The ear mount can also be colored or camouflaged to match the user's skin or clothing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An ear mounting apparatus for one or more audio components, said ear mounting apparatus comprising:
 a preconfigured ear mount, the preconfigured ear mount including an upper arm and a lower arm, 
 the preconfigured ear mount including a front surface and a back surface, and 
 the back surface including at least a first wire groove extending from a rear end to a forward end of the upper arm, and a second wire groove extending from the rear end and a forward end of the lower arm, 
 wherein the lower arm has at least one denoted trim section which can be removed to shorten the lower arm. 
 
     
     
       2. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first wire groove is exposed at the back surface. 
     
     
       3. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first wire groove includes a plurality of wire retention members in or adjacent the first wire groove. 
     
     
       4. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of wire retention members are tabs. 
     
     
       5. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the second wire groove is exposed at the back surface. 
     
     
       6. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the back surface includes a plurality of wire retention members in or adjacent the second wire groove. 
     
     
       7. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of wire retention members are tabs. 
     
     
       8. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the rear end has a wire exit region where the first wire groove and the second wire groove are provided adjacent one another. 
     
     
       9. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the preconfigured ear mount is deformable. 
     
     
       10. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the upper arm has at least one denoted trim point configured to facilitate shortening of the upper arm. 
     
     
       11. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the lower arm has at least one denoted trim point configured to facilitate shortening of the lower arm. 
     
     
       12. An ear mounting apparatus, for one or more audio components, said ear mounting apparatus comprising:
 a preconfigured ear mount, the preconfigured ear mount including an upper arm and a lower arm, 
 the preconfigured ear mount including a front surface and a back surface, and 
 the back surface including at least a first wire groove extending from a rear end to a forward end of the upper arm, and a second wire groove extending from the rear end and a forward end of the lower arm, 
 wherein the upper arm has at least one denoted trim section which can be removed to shorten the upper arm. 
 
     
     
       13. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the lower arm has at least one denoted trim section which can be removed to shorten the lower arm. 
     
     
       14. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a forward most portion of the upper arm is adapted to receive an audio component, and the first wire groove in the upper arm is adapted to receive a wire coupled to the audio component. 
     
     
       15. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the audio component is secured to the preconfigured ear mount. 
     
     
       16. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the audio component is secured to the preconfigured ear mount by the wire. 
     
     
       17. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the audio component is a microphone. 
     
     
       18. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the audio component is an earphone. 
     
     
       19. An ear mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the preconfigured ear mount is adapted to be worn about a single ear of a user. 
     
     
       20. An ear mounted audio system, comprising:
 an ear mount, the ear mount including an upper arm and a lower arm, the ear mount including a front surface and a back surface, the back surface including an exposed first wire groove extending from a rear end to a forward end of the upper arm, and the back surface including an exposed second wire groove extending from the rear end to a forward end of the lower arm; and 
 an audio component with a wire connected thereto, the exposed first wire groove or the exposed second wire groove having at least a portion of the wire provided and secured therein, with the audio component being provided proximate to a forward most portion of the upper arm or the lower arm, 
 wherein the upper and/or lower arm has at least one denoted trim section which can be removed to shorten the corresponding upper and/or lower arm. 
 
     
     
       21. A kit for ear mounted audio system, said kit comprising:
 an ear mount, the ear mount including an upper arm and a lower arm, the ear mount including a front surface and a back surface, the back surface including an exposed first wire groove extending from a rear end to a forward end of the upper arm, and the back surface including an exposed second wire groove extending from the rear end to a forward end of the lower arm; 
 a first audio component with a first wire connected thereto; and 
 a second audio component with a second wire connected thereto, 
 wherein the exposed first wire groove is configured to receive at least a portion of the first wire provided therein, such that the first audio component is able to be held by the ear mount, and provided proximate to a forward most portion of the upper arm, and 
 wherein the exposed second wire groove is configured to receive at least a portion of the second wire provided therein, such that second audio component is able to be held by the ear mount, and provided proximate to a forward most portion of the lower arm, 
 wherein the upper and/or lower arm has at least one denoted trim section which can be removed to shorten the corresponding upper and/or lower arm.